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Increasing Web-Integration

Written by Sean
Monday, 28 July 2008

Last Updated ( Monday, 28 July 2008 )

There have been several projects in development that are trying to hybridize both the web and gaming. Metaplace is one of those - and well, so are the thousands of flash games out there too - but there are others out there bringing games to the web in other interesting ways as well. One of those games is a low profile MMORTS known as Dreamlords . This game features a 3D game client that allows players to control units and lead them into battle like a normal RTS game (although a fairly cut down one), but it also allows players to control their lands, structures, and units via a web interface somewhat similar to other browser-based strategy games.

This concept allows someone to enjoy the 3D client when they want, and are able to, dig into the main part of the game. However, if they aren't at their computer, or they only have a few minutes to spare, a player could easily log into the web client to issue a few build orders.

This is far from the only game, much less type of game, that could benefit from intigrating a bit more web into the game.

Granted, to really fully realize the potential of a web-based client for a game, the game needs to be designed with both the normal and browser-based client in mind. Of course, there aren't many games that actually do that. That said, there are certainly ways to expand on existing games by including browser-based utilities. Imagine perusing the auction house in Final Fantasy XI, World of WarCraft, or other similar games? Imagine the ability to search the market in EVE Online and to switch the skill your character is training by simply going to a website, instead of logging into the game. Considering the time-based advancement in EVE, such a thing would be a huge boon for the casual gamer.

Blizzard's Armory and the SOE Station Player's websites offer some minor web functionality. They both allow people to check their character's stats and equipment and a few other slightly useful things. However, neither goes nearly far enough. These features don't allow the player to actual interact with the game in any way, and they can't necessarily accomplish anything through these websites. In fact, it even seems like some functionality that was particularily useful was even removed from the Station Player's site. I might be wrong of course, but I don't remember the ability to log into your guild's in-game chat channel via a Java applet in EQ2 Players being present when I last had an active account. That was a shame, because that was a great feature.

This isn't the first time I've talked about more web-based intigration for online games and it certainly won't be the last. However, there's so much untapped potential. When considering how often people use the Internet these days - not to mention how pervasive the web is, even on devices other than computers - to ignore the potential to intwine your already-online-game more heavily with it seems like a waste.

Hopefully we will see some new and interesting innovations in this department in the future.

Oh, and hello Comcast ! I hope you are enjoying the blog.

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